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You don't get any better than this..

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: March 24, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I have played rpg's constantly for the past 6 or 7 years, and I have yet to find a better title than Xenogears. It is like a world of it's own with a story that is so involving and characters that are so memorable it will such you in, weather you be a RPG fan, or maybe even not the biggest rpg fan, you'll love this game, with its unique fighting system and mind blowing story, it is a must play... don't go without experiencing this game, it's good, long, and great especially in the effects and sound, with very well done music, I'm in love with this game....

amazing

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: May 25, 2000
Author: Amazon User

the best plot i have ever read in any game was this one BY FAR.. it's mix of religion, ethics, and psychology is unparallel in any game i've played (except maybe Metal Gear Solid). this game is, however, very daunting for first-time RPGers. i struggled in many many instances to barely stay alive fighting in either the robots or on foot and i had to continue a record number of times to beat the game but the ending was nothing short of completely rewarding and worth the effort. while the graphics are a bit choppy and not too smooth at times, the cutscenes and anime shorts more than make up for it and add a nice flare. this was the one RPG i could play for hours on end not just because save points become few and far between as the story progresses but also because the one question that lingered in my head was "what's gonna happen next?" thoroughly engrossing, absolutely entertaining, very challenging boss battles especially the final battles i thought. definitely worth buying.

A different game for Squaresoft, but undoubtedly the finest.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: August 08, 2000
Author: Amazon User

When I first bought this game, I didn't know what to expect. Not a lot of people that I knew had played this game and the one's who did had said that it was awful. Fortunately, I had been playing Squaresoft games since I was in diapers and decided to give Xenogears a try. It's hard to find in stores now, and it took a while for me to find it at my favourite game store, but the wait was well worth it. From start to finish, Xenogears captivated me; it took me through an adventure of epic proportions, questioned my belief in religion, and was the ultimate game experience.

From the instant you start up the game, you will notice that the game blends stunning CG with beautiful hand-drawn anime. This graphical style proves to the benefit of Xenogears. This game has a different feel from other Squaresoft games like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger, but in that respect, it is ultimately Squaresoft's finest game, and in my opinion, the greatest game ever made.

But some may not share my enthousiasm for Xenogears, but even so, Xenogears proves itself to be a marvellous game in every respect.

Plotwise, Xenogears triumphs. The game starts out with the mysterious opening movie, which, at the time, makes absolutely no sense. It then begins with the introduction of Fei Fong Wong, the main character. I won't go much further into the plot than that, since Xenogears' plot is it's best aspect, but I will say that much of the game deals with religion and the way it is handled is simply beautiful. As the game progresses, players will find that all the key plot points come together at exactly the right moment leaving you gaping at the screen in awe. The only problem I see with Xenogears' plot is that it is so complex that it usually requires another play-though if players wish to understand the entire plot of Xenogears. However, most players will not mind going through Xenogears again as it is an absolute joy to play.

Most characters are well-developed, realistic, and very likable. However, the game does feature two characters that serve no purpose and leave the player wondering: "Why are they there?" This does not detract much from the overall gameplay of Xenogears, since most of the time, you do not have to use such characters.

Musically, Xenogears shines above all else. Yasunori Mitsuda's compositions for Xenogears go beyond fantastic with it's sweeping melodies, it's graceful love themes, and it's heart-pumping battle themes. Believe me, you'll be turning up the sound just to hear Mitsuda's music. If you can, I encourage you to purchase the soundtrack to this game as I have. It is absolutely fantastic and will not fail to please you. As for the sound effects, they are very well done and pleasing. Overall, Xenogears is an aural treat.

Graphically, in my opinion, is where this game flounders on occaision. The movies are excellently done due to the game's slick in-game engine, however, I wasn't too pleased with the slightly muddy graphics when you are travelling around in your Gears. However, graphics, in my book, carry very little weight, and do not hinder the gameplay of Xenogears that much.

Gameplay wise, Xenogears takes a slightly different route than the usual, 'I hit, then you hit' battle system. It features two different battle systems: one for hand to hand combat, and one for Gear combat which is used more frequently. Players will have to take skills learned in hand to hand combat and apply them to Gear battling. Overall, Xenogears' battle system is well done. Of course, as is in any hand-to-hand combat system, magic takes a back step to attacks. This is alright in my opinion, since Xenogears manages to pull it off so well. As is noted above, players will be able to travel in Gears which are gigantic combat robots and as sprites, or human characters.

Most players will find Xenogears moderately challenging. It's not as easy as Final Fantasy VII or VIII, but it's not as difficult as Vagrant Story. Xenogears, is actually one of the longest games I have ever played. It took me, a vetran RPG player, 55 hours to beat this game, whereas it only took myself 25 hours to beat FF7. Believe me, folks, there is a lot of gameplay in this game.

If players can get over the slightly distorted graphics, and it's linearity, they will find one of the best gaming experiences around. Xenogears is a game that I would highly recommend to any RPG fan.

I feel dizzy . . . [is this girl schizophrenic or what..?]

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: November 18, 2000
Author: Amazon User

AHHH..kickass game! XD I'm still on the first disc, but [supposedly...] I'm almost done with it. It's really good. The graphics are awesome [for it's day] and the music rules [I got the soundtrack ;P]. The characters are really good [Fei's kawaii..e_e] and the whole Storyline is well thoughtout. There are alot of other people who have done reviews and given the basic start off of it, so I guess I really don't need to..^^; It's kinda confusing, but not so much as to discourage you..more like, "AHH..WHAT?? MUST KNOW..MUST PLAAYYY.." Yeah. Like it's fishing..and you're the fish [I'm rambling, aren't I -_-?].

Anyway, you might need to go to a webpage that has tips on the game. It's kinda hard, but that makes it all the more fun. The battle system is really kick..........CITAN RULES THE WORLD [wahh..random o_O]!! Uh..-.- This wasn't very helpful...I just felt like voicing my opinion [did I scare you yet?]..

My point is: check this game OUT. It's, like...the mighty game. o.o; And Citan rules. Yeah....his sprite makes me think of Nuriko from FY--dammit, I'm rambling again. x.x;

A game of monumental perfection

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: July 31, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I purchased and played Xenogears on a whim when it was released. Maybe I have been spoiled, but no other RPG before or after has come close to the experience provided in this package. Other games just seem to be too forced or too bound by the genre. For the naysayers, I will begin with my most minor quibbles.

1) The battle system did not use a 3D tactical environment a la Lunar or even Chrono Trigger despite the upgrade to 3D worldmap and explorable areas. Not to mention these guys did Chrono Trigger, you'd think they would have evolved the model, but instead took a step back.
2) Animated cut scenes proved at times powerfully effective in Xenogears, but often the few we got seemed gratuitous while more deserving moments were given the 5-pixel in-game engine.
3) The battle system became horribly imbalanced at the end of the game. Citan could handle mechs while on foot while most others were the .... Fei was noticeably handicapped toward the end by not using weapons.
4) Despite some really cool equipment from rather obscure side quests at the end of the game, they failed to include on-foot battle after the mission to obtain said cool items! Too much mech, but maybe that is because the fighting system had become noticeably imbalanced at that point.
5) Awful, awful low texture quality. Perhaps this is pushing the poor PS1 to its limits, but I think the real reason is because it began development as a first gen title and they had to keep graphics low for consistency or redo them all.
6) Magic, ether, whatever, except for Emeraldas or a specially equipped Elly, was pretty much a joke. They might as well call it "taunt" or "meaningless special effects" because it only succeeded in wasting your turn in battle.
7) The second disc felt fairly abridged. This could have been due to the already long development period wasn't looking to get any shorter. I believe it was at 5 years by the time they released it. But it could also be that if they fleshed it out the game would be over 100 or 120 hours of solid story. It is already in the 70 hour range, any more would be approaching the "practically unplayable" length seen in Baldur's Gate I and II.

Now, I will sing my praises. There are many things Xenogears accomplishes that are commendable. And when combined, harmonizes into a product where the most important parts take center stage and only the most subdued aspects leave flaws that are so overwhelmed it is as if they never existed.

The storyline I would call professional if it wasn't actually an insult in this industry. Every other RPG I have played, plays out the same juvenile, uninspired, Dungeons and Dragons-esque Good vs Evil dynamic. Where the player is supposed to play good, evil, or even "your choice" and accomplish his or her Saturday-morning-cartoon-goals to defeat the diametrically opposed. That may even be insulting to Saturday morning cartoons to group them with typical RPG writing.

Fei is a warrior, but he is a spirit warrior. The characters are all real. All people in a universal quest for survival, acceptance, and meaning. Everyone is driven to find their place in existence, which is what makes this game fundamentally different than all other RPGs thus far. The others are about "becoming" someone, "attaining" something, or "saving" something tossed with a few token plot devices that are so typical of the fantasy genre in general. Xenogears proves its greatness when you realize it has done all this within the confines of the familiar Final Fantasy RPG setting. Magik and Steamworks with a twist. I would also like to add it is the only RPG that has had the vision and smarts to incorporate relevant topics such as nanotechnology, genetics, socio-economic and technological divide, modern warfare, cybernetics, self identity, and even some more Byzantine theories on religion and existence.

But what about the GAMEPLAY in Xenogears? First, it has a non-hostile, fully explorable 3D map that you can rotate and even jump around. A relatively balanced split fighting system that did not allow one mode to dominate the other without keeping them mutually exclusive. A unique fighting system that involved button sequences instead of the tired "fight" or "attack," yet did not require timing or memorization like other, newer battle system alternatives. I would even say it is more elegant than the FFX solution of about 5000 different options under the "Specials" menu. Even though the game seems to slow down at times, I would say there is definitely a feeling of increased pace and scope as you move forward. Like the proverbial snowball rolling down a frosty peak. Overall, I would say it still have some tricks to show the newer generation in terms of gameplay.

Other technical merits include the best soundtrack I've heard in an RPG. Yasunori Mitsuda did Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross as well. They allow him extra freedom in Xenogears and the Celtic influence and vocals really make for a special listening experience. I recommend the "Creid" orchestrated soundtrack for Xenogears. Also the animated cut scenes are able to show much more emotion and style than the now ubiquitous CG. While not really a first for RPGs, a first for Square and a first for the US.

Overall, this is console RPG's finest hour. Others might have more items, more monsters, more dungeons, more detailed and meticulous battle system, better graphics, or even better cut scenes, but to this date they are still a class below Xenogears.

My favorite RPG ever, but...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: October 27, 2002
Author: Amazon User

before you're thinking of buying this game, make sure you're the type of player who will appreciate it.

If you're buying Xenogears at this time(the game is fairly old), then it's probably because you heard it has a very, very good story. However, that doesn't mean you're guaranteed to love the game. Why? Because Xenogears makes you feel like you're reading a story rather than playing a game. There's literally tons and tons of text forced into you througout the game. This is unlike many other RPGs, where many plot information are more optional. The storyline to dungeons ratio is dramatically higher than any other game I've played.

So what about the story? Well, if you like deep, complicated, thoughtful stories, then this game is it. Go buy it right now. But if you prefer simple, easy-to-understand story lines, then stay away from this game.

If you're somewhere in between, then read on. Otherwise, the latter won't be important for you. Why? Because the story is so much more important than all other aspects of the game.

Gameplay: The battle system in Xenogears is simple. There's not much customization available. This goes along with the theme that the makers want you to enjoy the story, rather than spending hours roaming dungeons.

Graphics: The graphics are decent. It's a fairly old game, so don't expect anything top-notch.

Music: The music in Xenogears is VERY, VERY good. It's amazing how much the music complements the story and fit the mood. There are almost no bad piece in the game, something I can't say for any other game except maybe Chrono Cross(the same composer made the music for both games).

Overall: While I'd love to recommend this game to everyone, it's just not suitable for some people.

The best console RPG to date.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: July 15, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Well, all I have to say is this. Best console RPG ever. But that is my opinion, it very well might not be yours. I am rebought this game after losing it somewhere.

If you want to buy this game, chances are you heard it from a friend or played Xenosaga series (the prequil to this game). If you have played Xenosaga, a friendly warning. This game has the ammount of story the whole Saga will probably have, plus you have to read it. So if you think Xenosaga was a bit too tedious for your taste... DONT buy this game.

If you like reading novels or have been searching for ages for a console RPG with story, then get it. In my opinion, with EVERY single new RPG that comes out for consoles, stories get duller, shorter and fit really into 3 stereotypical molds. There are a few exceptions, but lets just say this. I use my PS2 to play more PS1 games than I do PS2.

Now, for an actual review.

Graphics: They were above average for its time. It wasnt the best, but good. Of course now they will be a bit outdated, so if graphics is what drives you to play games... you shouldnt be buying anything old anyways. If you like Anime however, thats what the cutscenes are. Violent too. This game didnt censor much, which adds to the story.

Story: If you have made it this far, you have already read what I put above. Storyline is what drives this game. Shortly after Xenogears I left buying new console RPGs (still rent some) to going to computer to try to refind those gripping long storylines that have left the consoles.

Sound: Excelent. It sets the mood perfectly for what is happening in the story. Same composer from Crono Cross and I believe perhaps Crono Trigger. So you cant go wrong here. Excelent sound.

Gameplay: Two dimentional. Then again... aren't all on consoles usually are? An interesting Ether system for spells and combos and moves both for your gear and on foot. Gears are basically giant robots you can fight in, and then there are the regular characters. Interestingly enough, most places let you take on gears as humans and take on humans in gears.

Difficulty: Not that difficult. The camera angle tricks you at times... but the dungeons arent that long, but hold enough interest in them to get them completely done.

Replay Value: What can I say? Im bought it again. The story is good and I want to draw connections between Xenosaga and Xenogears. Im replaying them all now just to try to piece together what will happen in the next Xenosaga games.

So if you are out there for story or perhaps RPG gameplay, I recommend this game. Some parts might be long, but try not to skip or pass anything because you probably will get severely lost in the game later. This will definately be a classic for years to come and probably should go down as one of the best PS1 games ever made.

Of course, my opinion, but if you are looking for a serious RPG, this is it.

Quite simply, the best RPG that was ever made

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: October 16, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Xenogears is a remarkable RPG whose strength lies in its complex, mind-numbing storyline that manages to accomplish something that other RPGs do not: a serious, contemplative plot with themes dealing with theology, metaphyics, philosophy, science, and psychology. It is truly a tour-de-force that must be played through more than once to grasp all the subliminal beauty and subtle nuances that make this game great. Xenogears is great because there is no other game that compares to it...it's "heavy", it's "dark", it reads like a lost chapter of the New Testament set to a Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails soundtrack and ultimately leads one to question the nature of our very being and our very soul.

... If you do not worship this game, it WILL hunt you down.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: November 26, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Xenogears is, by far, one of the best games in the history of gaming. Few downsides are present in the game, however, none of them detract from the actual gameplay. The entire game is unlike any you've ever seen, and you'll probably never see one with such originality again.

The game began production when the PlayStation was still new, so of course you'll hear people rambling about how the graphics aren't as good as games such as Final Fantasy VIII. The game was designed for the era it was being produced in, around the beginnings of the PlayStation's life. When compared with other games around that time era, its graphics far exceed its competition. Final Fantasy VII had lush and detailed computer-rendered backdrops, but the characters were blocky and ugly. Barret looked like a big carboard box with arms and legs. The world of Xenogears is completely 3D, much more interactive than Final Fantasy VII's world, and the character sprites fit in perfectly with their backgrounds. The colors used in this world are varied, lush and attractive, bringing the entire world to life. The simplicity of the character designs allow for dozens of sprites to make crowds in the streets of places such as Bledavik, again adding to the realism of the Xenogears world. The storyline goes above and beyond what any other development crew can imagine. Instead of focusing on one villian that plagues your characters throughout the game, the storyline focuses on a fate that was determined since the beginning of human life on that planet. Your final adversary does not become aparrent until near the end of the game. The motives behind your enemies are understandable, rather than the typical "I'm insane. I'm going to kill you because it sounds like fun. Then I'll take over the world BECAUSE I CAN!" attitude of villians, like Sephiroth.

Some people will complain about the dialogue, and it's understandable. The transition between Disc 1 and Disc 2 was meant to be 3 weeks, the time Fei and Elly are asleep. The dialogue could have been slightly tweaked to indicate that time passage instead of leaving the player to ponder about the sudden change in storyline. This is one of the first games to actually have some of the most significant events take place while the main character is lying on his lazy .... The actions of the characters display the time passage very well, but the dialogue could have been done better to make it understandable.

This is a game any RPG fan should not live without. If you see it, buy it. Why anyone would sell it is beyond me. If you sell this game, you're an insane maniac who deserves to be shot into space because of your insanity where your blood will boil and you'll swell up and pop. Yes.

xenogears second to final fantasy 7

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: November 12, 2001
Author: Amazon User

xenogears had a great plot it keep you in the story i never wanted to put down the controller the great battles and the gears keep the game interesting the.n the 2nd disc there wasnt much fighting in it it was mostly reading.i was confused some of the time while playing this game but if u like final fantasy 7 u should definetly check this game out.

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